Kurtzman, who with former writing partner Roberto Orci wrote some of the biggest franchise players in the past decade, already is producing the movie with Chris Morgan. Kurtzman and Morgan are weaving together a cinematic universe for Universal based on its movie monsters properties, and Mummy is due to be the first one out of the gate, with a release date of April 22, 2016. The movie is important as it will set the tone and stage for the rest of the universe.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but it’s understood that the new Mummy is set in the present and is not a horror play but rather an action-adventure tentpole with horror elements. It also will feature new characters and not rehash previous incarnations.

Jon Spaihts worked on the script, as did Kurtzman and Orci. Sean Daniel also is a producer on the project. Bobby Cohen is executive producer.

The project already has gone through a couple of directors — Len Wiseman and Andy Muschietti (Mama) — but that was before Universal began implementing its master monster plan.

“Over the course of developing The Mummy, Alex has demonstrated such clarity and passion about this character and mythology," said co-president of production Jeff Kirschenbaum. "He knows why The Mummy has fascinated us for so long and how to bring that into an inventive, incredible new adventure. It became obvious that he is the perfect choice to be not only one of the narrative engineers of this new vision but its director as well.”

Kurtzman made his directorial debut with the modestly budgeted drama People Like Us, which starred Chris Pine and Elizabeth Banks, so Mummy would mark a significant leap in terms of budget and scope. He also is attached to direct Venom, the Spider-Man spinoff, for Sony, though that project is not on the studio’s release calendar for the foreseeable future.

He is repped by CAA.

Universal executive vp production Jon Mone and director of development Jay Polidoro are overseeing the project .